India Army is still short of adequate winter gear for high altitude
Mohammad Asif Khan
Winter is a formidable adversary in warfare and has significantly impacted historical military campaigns. Napoleon’s Grande Armée, once invincible, faltered in the Russian snow during the ill-fated invasion of 1812. Hitler’s Wehrmacht, too, met its frozen demise on the vast steppes of the Eastern Front during World War II.
On 15 June 2020, Indian Army personnel clashed with Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. The confrontation turned deadly as both sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat using improvised weapons like iron rods and clubs. This resulted in the tragic loss of lives, with 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops losing their lives.
Just months before this clash, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of India released a report revealing that Indian troops were facing a shortage of proper clothing and equipment for high-altitude areas. The report also noted that soldiers were not receiving the proper rations sanctioned for the requisite calorific intake. It mentioned that some soldiers had to make do with recycled multi-purpose boots, which protect feet at temperatures up to minus 55 degrees Celsius. The stock level of all-terrain goggles was also low, ranging from just 5.6 per cent to 16.1 per cent against the authorised levels.
The defence ministry’s response to this report was that deficiencies were due to budgetary constraints and a sudden increase in authorisation for such equipment. They also stated that there was no deficiency at the troop level and that any emergency requirements could be met through reserves or procurement using Army Commander Special Financial Powers.
Following the Galwan clash, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in two separate incidents in the eastern sector of the LAC (line of actual control): one in September 2021 near North Sikkim and another in November 2022 near the Tawang sector, both involving physical altercations along the LAC.
After these clashes, India urgently purchased more high-altitude winter clothing from the United States (US) for the troops at forward locations in eastern Ladakh. This purchase was made possible by the LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) agreement between India and the US. The Indian Army quickly set up heated shelters, bunkers and arctic tents, and acquired specialised winter clothing, gear and other essential supplies for over 50,000 troops stationed at the friction points with China.
India also turned to European markets to quickly obtain more winter clothing for soldiers facing temperatures of minus 25 degrees Celsius. They were stationed at 13 critical heights south of Pangong Lake in Ladakh. The Indian Army needed to secure winter items for around 35,000 additional troops at forward locations. Most of the friction points in Ladakh, like Pangong Lake and Galwan Valley, are 15,000 feet above sea level.
Presence and Preparations
Three years after the standoff, the situation remains unchanged along the India-China LAC, and four years after the Galwan Valley incident, despite bilateral talks aimed at resolving the matter. India has deployed a record number of troops to the Ladakh border in response to Chinese threats and an additional 10,000 troops along its disputed border with China in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Winter temperatures along the LAC typically hover around minus 20 degrees Celsius on average and can plummet as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Unlike typical operations, engagements at high altitudes like the LAC involve confronting not just adversaries but also contending with harsh elements such as winter conditions and lack of oxygen. Troops undergo acclimatisation to the high-altitude conditions before deployment.
Amid such harsh climatic conditions, Indian troops need proper winter clothing and the availability of essential winter gear to confront a difficult adversary like the People’s Liberation Army of China. India has been heavily dependent on imports from countries like Switzerland and Vietnam for winter clothing.
AROO, India’s first defence startup, has developed an indigenous clothing system that focuses on harsh climatic conditions. AROO has developed India’s only cold-weather clothing system called ECWCS (extreme cold weather clothing system). This modular clothing system addresses critical requirements for soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions like the Siachen Glacier. The layered design provides optimal thermal insulation, allowing soldiers to withstand temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius.
Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System
The ECWCS is a three-layered system designed specifically for harsh conditions. The innermost layer, made from moisture-wicking fabric, draws sweat away from the skin, keeping soldiers dry and comfortable during exertion. This is crucial in preventing hypothermia, a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. The middle layer acts as a thermal barrier, trapping body heat and preventing heat loss. The outermost layer forms a protective shield against wind, rain and snow. It is crafted from durable materials to withstand wear and tear in challenging environments.
Beyond basic protection, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) prioritised ergonomics in the design of the ECWCS. The system allows for unrestricted movement, critical for soldiers who need to perform tactical manoeuvres and carry heavy equipment in combat situations. Additionally, the clothing is designed to minimise respiratory heat and water loss, promoting overall physiological comfort during long deployments in extreme cold.
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